Ceuta

Ceuta, a Spanish fortified fort on the coast of Morocco, opposite Gibraltar. Among the seven hills which gave its name to a Roman colony, which was once planted here, is Abyla (Hacho), one of the pillars of Hercules, now occupied by a fort, while upon a companion hill - Monte Almina - is the new town. The town, which is chiefly important as a military and convict station, has a cathedral and a bishop, who is the suffragan of Seville. There is a small harbour, and some trade. Under the Arab government Ceuta is said to have had the first paper factory of Western Europe. It was taken by Portugal in 1415, and became Spanish in 1580.